a blog for paper gardeners

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July 4th means a lot to me; I’m a Navy brat with relatives from my great grandfathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and nephews who have all served in the armed forces. However, as an American, the pride I feel on this day is for our immigrant forefathers who fought to establish a new country and a government of the people, for the people, and by the people with our Constitution.

Today, I decided, since I won’t be doing a LIVE video on FaceBook on the 4th, I would step out this project to inspire you. I started with my “Bucket,” which I have galvanized, done in brass and in a wood look, but today, I did a painted tin look…in of course, a Royal Blue. The Bucket is filled with Baby’s Breath, Eucalyptus, Red Berry Spray, and one of my favorite summer flowers–Zinnias. Enjoy!

LET’S GET STARTED

Step One

I started with adding Nuvo Crystal Drops/Red Berry on the Berry Spray so it could dry. I do both sides so it can take awhile before it’s ready–especially with humidity.

I also colored the Eucalyptus branches (I cut two) with Copic Markers–YG91 and YG93. I added Nuvo Crystal Drops/Oyster Grey in the berry areas.

Step Two

I die cut the Baby’s Breath branch and the tiny flower plate (6 times). Place the flowers on a harder surface (i.e., carving block or eraser) and make a small dot in the center in a bright green.

Next, use a rounded toothpick to cup the shapes. Use small tweezers to pick up the flowers, lightly dip the underside in glue and fill the branches. Set aside.

Step Three

I did a technique on the bucket that I learned from Sally Lynn MacDonald of GelPress. Apply some alcohol ink onto a GelPress pad; I used a Copic Refill/Royal Blue B28. Next, on a smaller, separate GelPress pad, I rolled some metallic white acrylic paint, then, rolled it over the dried alcohol ink.

Step Four

Press the Bucket, right-side-down onto the pad and use a separate roller to press into the plate. The first press, the blue isn’t as strong, but repeat in several areas on the pad until you get the color you desire.

Step Five

Peel off the backing of the Clear Double Sided Paper and add a foam tab in the lower 1/3 of the Bucket. I painted the handled with Pentart’s Platinum and die cut a separate wood piece for the handled. I placed the Bucket on a 6″ x 6″ Soft Finish White card with a 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ layer of ModaScrap’s Wood Effect cardstock.

Step Six

Fill the Bucket with Baby’s Breath; notice I cut one of the branches of this piece to add fullness to the spray. Then shape the Eucalyptus Branches and add to the bouquet. The Berry Spray is cut into three pieces for ease of placement.

Step Six

The Zinnias are next. I die two pieces each of the flower shapes in Soft Finish White Cardstock (85 lb.230g). I colored them with Copic Marker R29. To finish the flower, you need to die cut two “stamen” pieces, 2 to 3 leaves, and one “plate” of Flowerettes for the center of the flower. Place the flower shapes on the Molding Pad and use the small end of the Loop Tool to shape each petal. Next use the tweezers to pinch each petal. Finally, place the flower back on the Molding pad and cup, using the Medium Ball Stylus.

Step Seven

Build the Zinnia right onto your project, starting with the larger flower pieces, off-setting the petals as you glue them one on top of the other.

Step Eight

The stamen is die cut twice in Soft Finish White cardstock. Color one with Copic Y19 and the other partially in Y19 and four filaments with R59 as shown. Use the small scissors to cut the R59 filaments in half.

Next, apply glue to the straight edge of the 2-tone stamen and roll it up, making sure you start with the R59 so it ends up in the center. Apply glue to the straight edge of the solid yellow stamen and roll it around the first stamen. Add some glue to the tips of the red filaments and dip into the Rusty Red Pollen. Fan out the Yellow filaments and glue this piece in the center of the flower.

Step Nine

Place the Yellow Flowerettes on a carving block or eraser and cup each one with a rounded toothpick. Using small tweezers, lightly dip the undersides into the glue and place them onto the yellow filaments.

Step Ten

Finally, die cut 2 to 3 leaves for each flower. I shaded the edges with Distress Ink/Forest Moss. Place the leaf, right-side-down onto the Leaf Pad and draw a stem line down the center. Turn over and press up on the line so you can shade it with PanPastel/Bright Yellow Green. Return the piece to the Leaf Pad and vein the leaf. Pinchthe stem area and turn leaf right-side-down onto the Molding Pad and shape the edge. Dip the stem end into glue and place under the flowers. Finish with a Dotted Scallop Tag stamped with July 4 (I added the “th” with a colored pen!)

Have a happy and safe 4th of July and let’s remember what this holiday means!

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The Southern Magnolia is a tree native to the southeastern United States; from North Carolina to central Florida, and west to eastern Texas and Oklahoma. It can grow to 50 feet tall and rarely, up to 100 feet! It’s dark green leaves with a caramel-colored underside are striking against the white, fragrant flowers. Recently, I was asked to “step-out” this beautiful flower for one of my viewers on FaceBook/Susan’s Garden Club. I know you’ll love adding it to your bouquets!

LET’S GET STARTED

Step One

I use Soft Finish White 100 lb./270g cardstock to die cut one of each of the petal sections, two centers, and Soft Finish White 85 lb./230g cardstock to cut 3-5 leaves.

Use PanPastel/Diarylide Yellow to shade the centers of the petal pieces.

Use Copic Markers (Y19 & E31) to color the centers.

Step Two

Place the larger 4-petal piece on the MoldingPad and use the Large Loop Tool or the Medium Ball Stylus to shape the petals. Next, use the tweezers to pinch the stem ends, transfer this pinch to your opposite thumb and index finger to hold it while you use the tweezers to bend down the outer edges of the petals.

Place the 4-petal piece back on the Molding Pad and use the small ball stylus to cup the center. Use a toothpick to add a small amount of glue underneath and adhere it to your card.

Repeat these steps for the other two petal pieces.

Build the flower, off-setting the petal pieces as shown.

Step Three

The center is done by placing both pieces, wrong side down, on the Molding Pad and using the Small Loop Tool, shape them. Use a toothpick to apply glue around the edges of one of the shapes only as shown and adhere the two pieces together, forming a dimensional ovoid piece.

Lightly apply a small amount of glue to this center piece and sprinkle some Pollen over it.

Dip the bottom into the glue and place it in the center of the flower.

Leaves:

I’ve colored the leaves with a combination of Copic Markers and PanPastels, but you could also use a dark green cardstock if you prefer. If you do, still color the underside with the PanPastel/Orange Shade.

I used Copic Markers (G99, G94 & G85) on the right side of the leaf, then dipped it into VersaMark and embossed it with Clear, Fine Embossing Powder.

Next, I color the underside of the leaf, first with Copic Marker E99 and then used PanPastel/Orange Shade to color over the marker. This step gives it the “suede” look that these leaves have.

Now, place the leaf, right side down, on the Leaf Pad and use the Leaf Tool to score a stem line down the center. Bend up the the leaf, wrong side first, and shade with PanPastel/Raw Umber, then bend up the leaf, right side up, and shade the stem line on this side. Place back on the Leaf Pad and use the Leaf Tool to add vein lines out from the stem line.

Lastly, place the leaf on the Molding Pad and use the Medium Ball Stylus to shape the end, as shown. (If this is confusing, I did a video on the leaves on Susan’s Garden Club FaceBook page!)

If you want the green side to show, shape with the green facing down on the mat; for the caramel colored side, shape with the green facing up while you pinch the stem line with the tweezers. Insert leaves around the flower.

To complete the project, I added some ferns underneath and created berry branches using Tonic’s Nuvo Crystal Drops/Ripened Pumpkin.

I added Suzanne Cannon’s new “Just for You” to finish my project.

I hope this step out helps you construct this beautiful flower; it really is quite impressive!

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I’ve always said, “I’m a gardener first, paper artist second!” For me, it’s not just creating flowers, but flowers that resemble those grown in our gardens or given in bouquets. I’ve been doing FaceBook Live Tutorials, not only how I assemble the dies I create, but showing how simple it is to color and shade the petals (and leaves) to make people do a double-take that these flowers are actually made of paper.

Here’s a List of Copic Markers that I used on the projects I did this past week. If you missed the video, it does stay up on my FaceBook paper–Susan’s Garden Club.

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Poinsettias are popular Christmas decorations in homes, churches, and elsewhere in North America. It’s native to Mexico and can be found growing wild in deciduous tropical forests at moderate elevations. It’s know as “Flor de Noche Buena,” meaning, Christmas Eve Flower!

This past Wednesday on Susan’s Garden Club Live Facebook page, I show how to create this beautiful holiday card. I was asked if I could step it out and provide a product list. I am more than happy to do that.

LET’S GET STARTED

Step One

I like my cards to be 6″ x 6,” cut from 100 lb./270g Soft Finish white cardstock. I cut the next layer into a 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ square and embossed it with the Berry Branch embossing folder. I also die cut my Carolina Window out of the 85 lb./230g Soft Finish white and black glossy cardstock, both backed with Clear Double-sided Adhesive.

Use the glossy black window as a template to trace around on a piece of the Soft Finish cardstock with Clear Double-sided Adhesive. Use scissors to cut it out

Also, die cut the Poinsettia as shown. (I used a medium green cardstock and Soft Finish white cardstock in the 85 lb./230g.

Step Two

Creating the “stained glass” window was done by using USArtQuest GildenGlitz. I peeled the Clear Double-sided Adhesive from the solid window piece and placed bits of multi-colored and gold GildenGlitz on it. Then, I used a soft brush to smooth the surface.

Step Three

Shade the green leaves on the edges with Distress Ink/Forest Moss, then place them right-side-up on the Leaf Pad and use the Leaf Tool to score a stem line down the center. Flip the piece over and repeat this scoring. (This step really accentuates the stem line.) Pinch the leaves in half and use PanPastels/Bright Yellow Green (from Set 1) to shade the stem line.

Do this to the 5-leaf piece, as well as, the three (3) additional leaves die cut in green. Place the pieces, right-side-up on the Leaf Pad and using the Leaf Tool, add vein lines on either side of the stem.

Next, use your tweezers to pinch at the stem line, bringing the fold up, then turn over and place the tip area on the Molding Pad. Use the Medium Ball Stylus to “scrunch” the tip area so it looks more natural.

Placing the piece right-side-up on the Molding Pad, Use the Medium Ball Stylus to cup the center and add dimension. For the separate leaves, use the tweezers to pinch the stem are, turn it over and scrunch the tip as you did for the 5-leaf piece.

Use a toothpick, dipped in glue, and place some on the underside of the 5-leaf section. Adhere this to your project.

Step Four

I colored the white leaves with Copic Markers–First with R29 on the wrong side, then used both R46 and R29 on the right side to shade the leaves. The steps for creating the stem are the same as the green leaves above, except I used PanPastels/Bright Yellow Green Shade (which can be found in Set 2).

Also, repeat the step above creating vein lines and shaping each leaf. Use the toothpick to place a small amount of glue on the underside center of the 5-leaf piece and adhere it to the green section on your project.

Use the eight single petals to build the Poinsettia.

Allow the leaves to dry a bit before you add the “bracts” in the center. I also die cut pieces to create two Small Poinsettias above the larger one. You assemble these the exact same way as above!

Step Five

The White Pine boughs were created by adhering Clear Double-side Adhesive paper to green cardstock and die cutting one large branch and two small ones. I peeled off the adhesive paper and use Silk Microfine Glitter/Go to Green to give a sparkly affect. Dip the ends into glue and tuck under the top and bottom of your Poinsettia spray.

Step Six

For the “Bracts” which are the actual flower of the leaves, I used USArtQuest Prills in Ribbit & Berry Nice. Use a toothpick to apply a small amount of glue in the center of each flower, then sprinkle some Prills into it.

To finish the project, I stamped Suzanne Cannon’s new “merry Christmas” on ModaScrap’s Fishtail Banner.

I hope this gets you started on your holiday cards…it sure is coming up quickly!

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My Grandma Gladys (and my mom) taught me all about gardening. Grandma’s Dahlias won many ribbons and every year I was amazed by the rows of these beauties growing in her garden. Oddly, when my grandmother passed away in the Fall of 1973, her Dahlias never came up again; gone! We always said, “she took them to heaven with her!”

I always plant them in my garden and couldn’t wait to add them to my Garden Notes collection. The colors are so brilliant and the varieties are numerous and your projects, whether they’re cards, tags, or on top of a gift box will definitely put a smile on the recipient’s face.

LET’S GET STARTED

Step One

Die cut two (2) of all the petal pieces and (1) for the center in white 85 lb. (230g) cardstock. I also die cut two (2) stems–one in 85 lb. (230g) and one in 100 lb. (270g) cardstock as shown. For the leaves, you can die cut 3 to 4 as desired.

Step Two

For the variegated variety, I colored the white petals, haphazardly, in the desired Copic alcohol pen. As you can see, there’s no “rhyme or reason” with the coloring and I do color the underside as well.

Use Beacon Zip Dry glue to adhere the two stems together for each flower and glue it right on my project. (Remember, all Garden Notes flowers are constructed directly on your project.)

Step Three

Place the largest petal on the Molding Pad, right-side down and use the Loop Tool to shape it. Then, use the tweezers to pinch each individual petals, as shown.

Place the “pinched” petal on the Molding Mat again and use the Medium Ball Stylus to stir the shape.

Add some Beacon kids choice glue! with a toothpick to the underside and adhere it to the top of the stem.

Step Four

To build the flower, you will repeat the steps above, graduating in size the petals for the next 7 flower pieces. It’s important to off-set the pieces as you build up the flower!

Step Five

For the last two small flowers, place them right-side down on a firm surface, i.e., rubber eraser, and use the Leaf Tool to stem each individual petal.

Finally, place this small flower, right-side up on the Molding Pad and use the Small Ball Stylus to cup the shape.

Use a toothpick to add a small amount of glue to the underneath, center of the flower and adhere in place. Repeat with the last flower.

Step Six

The center of the flower is created by applying a small amount of glue to the straight edge of the piece while holding the “tail” with the tweezers. Then, roll up the shape, flare out the filaments with your fingers, dip the bottom into the glue and adhere to the center of the flower.

Now, all you have to do is add the leaves! I shaded the leaves, when I did the stem, with Distress Ink/Forest Moss, then, place them right-side down on the Leaf Pad and use the Leaf Tool to add a stem line down the center. Turn the leaf over and bend it up. Apply PanPastel/Bright Yellow Green down the center. Next, place the leaf, right-side up back on the Leaf Pad and use the Leaf Tool to add veins on either side of the stem line. Pinch the stem of the leaf and turn it right-side down, placing it at a 45-degree angle on the Leaf Pad and use the Medium Ball Stylus to shape the end of the leaf. Dip the stem end into the glue and adhere under the flowers.

That’s all there is to it. Have fun with this flower that brings back such great memories for me!

Elizabeth Craft Designs Products

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Tuberous Begonias are one of my favorite “potted plants”; I always include them for a dramatic pop of color in my pots on my porch. It’s also one of my new Garden Notes flowers that was released in June and is now available. I wanted to step out the direction so you can get started with adding these beauties to your garden.

These red Begonias enhance the beauty of the Caladiums in my front porch urns.

LET’S GET STARTED

Step One

I die cut the four pieces of the flower twice using Soft Finish White 85 lb. cardstock. I also die cut two stems; one in medium green 80 lb cardstock and one in a lighter green 100 lb. cardstock.

I colored all the petals with Copic R29, front and back, and I used some Beacon Zip Dry glue to adhere the two stems together. Then, glue the stem directly onto your project. This is the beauty of Garden Notes–they are constructed right on your cards!

Step Two

Place the one of the large 5-petal flowers on the Molding Pad, right-side down, and use the Loop Tool to Shape each petal as shown. Next, use the tweezers to Pinch in the stem area, holding that pinch with your thumb and index finger, and using the tweezers to Bend down the petals.

Use a toothpick to apply a small amount of glue to the underside center and adhere to the top of the stem.

Repeat these techniques with the second large 5-petal flower; adhering it on top of the first flower, but slightly askew.

Step Three

Place the “fan-shaped petal” on the Molding Pad and use the Loop Tool to shape it. Use the tweezers to Pinch the stem end. Use your thumb and index finger to hold this pinching while you use the tweezers to Bend the outer edges of this petal. Repeat with the second petal. Insert these two fan-shaped petals between the petals of the flower.

Step Four

Place the 4-petal flower on the Molding Pad and use the Loop Tool to Shape it as shown. Next, use the small ball stylus to Cup the shape. Add a small amount of glue to the bottom and adhere it to the center of the flower.

Repeat with the second 4-petal flower, placing it inside the first.

Step Five

Finally, the last two petals are placed on the Molding Pad, using the Loop Tool, Shape, Pinch, and Bend. Lightly dip the stem end into the glue and adhere them around the 4-petal center.

Step Six

Leaves are shaded on the edges with Distress Ink, then place right-side down on the Leaf Pad and using the Leaf Tool, draw a Stem down the center. Fold the leaf in half, right-side facing you, and use PanPastels and a cosmetic sponge to shade the stem line. Place the Leaf back on the Leaf Pad and use the Leaf Tool to draw Vein lines on either side of the stem. For a little more shape, pinch the stem line with your thumb and index finger, place the leaf face down on the Molding Pad, and use the Medium Ball Stylus to shape the tip by pushing down and back.

Dip the stem end into the glue and add leaves underneath the flower.

Here’s a couple more examples of using Begonias in your projects: A card with a Tea Cup-full and a Music Box between some of my Dahlias.

Other Supplies

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A few weeks ago I posted this card on FaceBook and had wonderful responses. In particular, Babs asked if I could explain how I put this together. As I have told everyone, I’m always happy to share my paper gardening tips and techniques so you can create beautiful flowers and bouquets.

LET’S GET STARTED

Step One

I trimmed a 12″ x 12″ sheet of Colored Soft Finish Cardstock (Perfect Purple) into a 6″ x 6″ folded card. For the next layer, I used Soft Finish White (230g/85 lb) and trimmed it to a 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ square. Finally, I used Els van de Burgt Studio “Dotted Scallop/Square” die to cut a 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ square from the Soft Finish White cardstock that I used Distress Oxide Ink on.

That creates your “base” for the nosegay of Pansies.

Step Two

To create the nosegay holder, I used ModaScrap’s “Oriental Corner.” First, cut it in half, then fold along scored lines. Add clear-double-sided

Step Three

I wanted the look of stems showing in the nosegay, so I die cut three of my Garden Notes “Bouquet Stems & Branches” in a medium green cardstock. I use a bit of clear double-sided tape on the underside of the Stems and adhered them in place.

Step Four

To give dimension to the bouquet, I used a technique of making a “dome” so I wouldn’t have to place flowers on top of each other. To do this, I die cut a small oval (from Els van de Burgt Studio “Fitted Ovals) twice; one in the medium green cardstock I used for the Stems and one in a lighter green (so you could see I cut it twice!) Place the lighter green piece on the Molding Pad and use the Large Ball Stylus (from my toolkit) to stir the shape and give it dimension.

Use a toothpick and apply glue to the outside of the shape ONLY! As I’ve said before, glue tends to shrink when it dries and if you applied glue to the center, it will pull your dimension down and defeat the purpose of creating a dome.

Place the light green oval on the center Stems.

Repeat these steps for the medium green oval, setting it on top of the light green oval.

Step Five

The last step before I started making the Pansies, was to tuck in some of Els “Leafy branches in the top. I cut the branch in half (at a point where it was obvious to cut), and created a stem-line, using my Leaf Tool.

I also added my Garden Notes Ivy Vine once the Pansies were done. I die cut them in the Soft Finish White cardstock and colored them using Copic Markers (YG91, YG93).

Since I have made Pansies, several times on my blog, I’m going to refer you to a post I did on February 10, 2016–“Egg-trodinary Spring Bouquet” to see how I create my natural-looking flowers.

I hope this helps you to understand how this card was put together. Have fun making nosegays!

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May 14th, will mark the 7th anniversary of our daughter’s passing from breast cancer. Kelly was only 37 years old. Statistically speaking, one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer; a statistic I’d rather not know.

Today, I created a card, using my Garden Notes Hydrangea 2 and a wonderful set of dies and stamps I purchased at Ellen Hutson, LLC – “Courage Stamp & Die Set” to benefit Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Half the cost of the stamps goes to this foundation.

I chose to do the card in shades of a pinky-peach because Kelly said to me once, “Mom, I really don’t like Pink…I wish the color was orange!” However, hydrangeas were one of her favorite flowers and I have a garden area I’ve planted dedicated to Kelly with hydrangeas and other flowers she loved. It brings me peace and happiness amidst the loss of a beautiful soul.

Step Two

I used one of the flowers from the “Courage Stamp & Die Set” and VersaMagic “Pixie Dust” and “Persimmon” chalk ink to create a background bouquet. I used a Leaf from the Set with Distress Ink/Crushed Olive for “foliage”. Finally, with a bit of watercolor, I extended some stems down.

Step Three

I assemble the stem/head of the Hydrangea, then placed it on the Molding Mat and used the Medium Ball Stylus to shape the head. It was placed down through the Ribbon and I secured the head with Beacons Kid Choice glue, just around the edges, so you don’t loose the shaping.

Place the individual petals on the Molding Mat or as I use, a “carving block” because it gives a firmer surface. I also use a round toothpick to cup the centers.

Use Elizabeth Craft Designs small tweezers to pick up the petals, add a bit of Kids Choice glue to the bottom and set in place on the flower head. Fill the head completely. I added just three of the smallest leaves that come in the set.\

I also stamped one of the quotes from the Set that best described Kelly’s fight in VersaFine/Black ink. I also added Starform Stickers/Silver to outline the Ribbon.

Step Four

Once the flower petals have set a bit (about 10 minutes) use PanPastels to “pouch” on color. I use Bright Yellow Green from Set 2 and Permanent Red Tint (Pink) from Set 1.

“Cancer Divides, We Unite.” Sadly, I know many of us have gone through this personally with a mother, sister, aunt, or a dear friend. Please consider donating and let’s see a cure; something I work for everyday of my life.

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There’s nothing prettier than a bouquet of Tulips for Spring! I’ve never seen the tulip fields in The Netherlands, but when we lived in the Pacific Northwest, the Skagit County Tulip Festival was a sight to behold.

Tulips are easy to construct and if you want to replicate the beautiful colors from Mother Nature, there are a few tricks that I can show you so you can achieve natural looking blooms.

LET’S GET STARTED

Step One

I cut a 6″ x 12″ Soft Finish Cardstock (Pink Peach) and scored into a 6″ x 6″ size top-fold card base. The background, done in White Soft Finish 85 Lb cardstock was cut to 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ and I created a design by wrapping a rubber band around a brayer and rolling it in Distress Oxide/Worn Lipstick. I also die cut Els van de Burgt Studio Dotted Scallop Squares in the two largest sizes to create a frame for the bouquet.

To create the look of a lush bouquet, I cut a piece of ribbon and secured it down onto my background with a Glue Dot, then die cut the Garden Notes Bouquet Stems 3 times, cutting the stems apart with small scissors for a loose look. I also added some of the leaves at this time before adding any of the flowers, and tied the ribbon into a bow.

Step Two

The Garden Notes Tulip 2 has two petal pieces; 4 petals and 2 petals. For this project I cut each one 10 times, but your bouquet can be as big (or small) as you like. I chose to re-create a Tulip variety that I love–pinks with hints of bright green. To do this I use a combination of products: Copic Marker/RV11 and Distress Oxide Inks inWorn Lipstick and Peeled Paint.Using the marker, I colored the petals, leaving some white on the front, but completely coloring the underside.

Next, I used Distress Oxide Ink Peeled Paint and a cosmetic sponge to dab the green shade in the center.

Finally, I use a dauber and sponged around the outside edges with the Distress Oxide Ink Worn Lipstick.

Step Three

Place the petals right-side-up on the Molding Mat, and use the small Loop Tool to shape them.

Turn the petal over wrong-side-up and repeat this shaping, doing a 3-stroke technique pressing down each petal to get the detail characteristic of the petal.

Finally, use the medium ball stylus to press the outer edge of the petal so it rolls inward. Next, use the tweezers to pinch the stem edges and finally, with the petals on the Molding Mat, use the small ball stylus to cup the center.

Step Four

Use a toothpick to apply glue to the 2-Petal piece and place it directly onto the project. Continue to hold in place until the glue grabs and see photo below how I use the Leaf Tool to apply pressure.

Next, use a toothpick to apply a small amount of glue to both sides of one of the petals on the 4-Petal piece. Bring two petals up and hold in place. Finally, dip the bottom of the 4-Petal piece into the glue and place it on the 2-Petal piece, making sure that the one petal not secured is set between the 2-Petal piece.

Step Five

After you’ve finished creating all the Tulips you want in the bunch, add a few more leaves. The leaves are basically done how I do all my leaves, except Tulip leaves don’t have veins, but rather character lines running down it. I used Distress Ink/Forest Moss and a dauber to edge the medium green card stock, then I place the leaf, right-side-up on the Leaf Pad and use the Leaf Tool to stroke several times down the leaf. Then, I turn the leaf over, wrong-side-up and using the Leaf Tool, draw a line down the center. I bend the leaf along this line, backwards and use PanPastels/Bright Yellow Green and a cosmetic sponge to highlight this center line. Bend the leaf back and use tweezers to pinch the stem end. If you want dimension on the outer point of the leaf, simply place the leaf, right-side-down on the Molding Mat and use the medium ball stylus to press and push backward; this will crimp the tip!

(There are many tutorials how I do leaves, both on Elizabeth Craft Designs YouTube channel and elsewhere on this blog.)

Step Six

To finish the Tulip, die cut the calyx in a bright green cardstock, matching the number cut to the number of Tulips made. Place this piece on the molding mat and use the small ball stylus to cup this piece.

Hold the piece with the tweezers and use a toothpick to apply a small amount of glue to the center of the underneath. Glue in place inside the Tulip.

For the stamen, hold the piece with the tweezers and apply a small amount of glue along the straight edge, then roll the piece up and secure. Dip the ends lightly into the glue, then into Pollen.

Hold the Pollen end with the tweezers and dip the bottom into the glue and set in place on top of the calyx. The Tulip is done!